Alternate ending and Episode 2 preview
Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds in the Special Stages.

Alternate ending poses
Collect all the rings during the ending sequence and Sonic will show his fist pump pose from the Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and Sonic The Hedgehog 3 ending sequence, or turn into Super Sonic if you also have all the Chaos Emeralds.

Bonus levels and Chaos Emeralds
Complete a level with 50 rings. A giant ring will appear behind the end sign. Jump into the giant ring to advance to a bonus level. A Chaos Emerald will be at the end of all bonus levels.

Super Sonic
Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds. Then, enter any level, collect 50 rings, and you can now transform into Super Sonic.

Unlimited lives
Play the Casino Street Zone. Run through the level and activate the "slot machines" to again extra lives. When you are satisfied with the amount of lives collected, pause game play and leave the level to save those lives. Restart the level and repeat the process as many times as desired.